Combination Bag and Carrier

ABSTRACT

A combination bag and carrier has an approximately-rectangular planar panel with a reinforced edge margin extending substantially continuously around an edge of the planar panel and a durable material extending substantially continuously between all portions of the reinforced edge margin, the material being readily-permeable to water and air. A pair of handles is attached to the reinforced edge margin on opposite ends of the planar panel. Means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself to form a bag with the handles disposed adjacent each other is provided to the carrier.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to carriers, and more particularly to a combination bag and carrier that may be useful for carrying a large variety of materials in different fashions.

2. Background and Related Art

Carrying needs may vary from situation to situation. For example, in a camping or backpacking situation, there may be a need to carry such items as tents, clothing, food, firewood, and the like, and various carrying solutions have been provided to address some of these carrying needs. For example, backpacks have been provided and have evolved to carry a variety of items, but do not address all carrying needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementation of the invention provides a combination bag and carrier having an approximately-rectangular planar panel with a reinforced edge margin extending substantially continuously around an edge of the planar panel and a durable material extending substantially continuously between all portions of the reinforced edge margin, the material being readily-permeable to water and air. A pair of handles is attached to the reinforced edge margin on opposite ends of the planar panel. Means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself to form a bag with the handles disposed adjacent each other is provided to the carrier.

Implementation of the invention may be used to conveniently carry a variety of materials and items that are not conveniently carried by other devices. The combination of features provided by combination bag and carrier permits carrying of bulk items such as wood and firewood that may extend beyond the edge margin of the carrier as well as dirty laundry and wet items that may benefit from air flow through the combination bag and carrier. The combination bag and carrier may be carried by the handles and may be attached externally to another carrying device such as a backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an embodiment of a combination bag and carrier in a flat, fully-open configuration;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a combination bag and carrier in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a combination bag and carrier in a closed configuration with enclosed contents; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a combination bag and carrier in a partially-closed configuration for carrying bulky items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may take many other forms and shapes, hence the following disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and the scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention provide a combination bag and carrier having an approximately-rectangular planar panel with a reinforced edge margin extending substantially continuously around an edge of the planar panel and a durable material extending substantially continuously between all portions of the reinforced edge margin, the material being readily-permeable to water and air. A pair of handles is attached to the reinforced edge margin on opposite ends of the planar panel. Means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself to form a bag with the handles disposed adjacent each other is provided to the carrier.

Embodiments of the invention may be used to conveniently carry a variety of materials and items that are not conveniently carried by other devices. The combination of features provided by combination bag and carrier permits carrying of bulk items such as wood and firewood that may extend beyond the edge margin of the carrier as well as dirty laundry and wet items that may benefit from air flow through the combination bag and carrier. The combination bag and carrier may be carried by the handles and may be attached externally to another carrying device such as a backpack.

FIG. 1 shows a view of an embodiment of a combination bag and carrier in a fully-open and laid-out configuration. This view is illustrative of a configuration that may be used when the combination bag and carrier is being loaded, such as with bulk items like firewood or with items to be carried in a bag configuration such as wet shoes or dirty laundry. As may be seen in FIG. 1, the combination bag and carrier has an approximately-rectangular shape and includes an approximately-rectangular planar panel 10. The planar panel 10 includes a reinforced edge margin 12 extending substantially continuously around an edge of the planar panel 10. The edge margin 12 may include a variety of materials providing the reinforcement, such as webbing of a type such as nylon webbing commonly used for straps for backpacks and the like. The webbing or other reinforcing material may be of a variety of widths and thicknesses, and may be folded over or doubled up if desired, and may be a single piece of material extending around the entire edge margin 12. For example, the webbing may be folded lengthwise and a durable material 14 extending between the edge margin 12 may be attached between the folded layers. Such an attachment may provide a secure attachment of the durable material 14. Alternatively, the durable material 14 may be attached to one side of the reinforcement of the edge margin 12.

The durable material 14 extends substantially continuously between all portions of the reinforced edge margin 12. The durable material 14 may be any of a variety of materials that are durable. In addition, the durable material 14 may be chosen so as to be readily-permeable to water and air. This allows items stored in the combination bag and carrier to be exposed to air flow so as to permit airing out or drying of items stored in the combination bag and carrier. This may be useful for items such as dirty or wet laundry or wet shoes to minimize or prevent odors, mold growth, and the like. One example of a suitable material for the durable material 14 is a nylon mesh material. As may be appreciated, materials such as a nylon mesh material are not only durable but are resistant to rot and other types of damage that might eventually weaken the material, but any of a variety of materials may be used.

To facilitate carrying of the combination bag and carrier, a pair of handles 16 may be attached to the reinforced edge margin on opposite ends of the planar panel 10 as shown. The handles 16 may be manufactured of any suitable material, and may be of a material similar to that used to reinforce the reinforced edge margin 12. When the combination bag and carrier is folded approximately in half (as shown in FIGS. 2-4), the handles 16 align and facilitate carrying of the combination bag and carrier, regardless of whether the combination bag and carrier is used in an open carrier configuration or in a bag configuration in which the peripheral edge margin 12 is closed as will be discussed below.

The combination bag and carrier also includes a means for selectively attaching portions of the edge margin to itself. One such means is shown in FIG. 1. This means includes a plurality of grommets 18 or eyelets embedded in the edge margin 12 and a pair of cords 20 of sufficient length to pass or lace through the series of grommets to secure the panel into a bag configuration. The cords 20 may be any type of flexible elongate items, including laces, single-strand and multi-strand cords, ropes, and twines using natural and/or synthetic fibers, and the like, and in the specification and the claims, the term “cord” should be understood to encompass all such flexible elongate items. One end of each of the cords 20 is attached to the edge margin 12 at a midpoint of the sides of the rectangle not having handles 16 attached thereto. Thus the cords 20 lace through the grommets 18 from the point of attachment to meet near the handles 16. When the cords 20 are not being used to lace the combination bag and carrier into a bag configuration, they may be stored by being laced through the grommets 18 in the fashion shown in FIG. 1 and may be secured, such as by tying, if desired.

In this configuration, the combination bag and carrier may be used as a carrier for materials including bulk materials such as firewood that may optionally extend beyond the edges of the carrier (as shown in FIG. 4). For such materials, the combination bag and carrier is not laced closed and the carrier may carry substantially more material than could be contained within the volume of the bag configuration shown in FIG. 2. This configuration may be achieved by lacing through the grommets 20 of one half of each side of the bag and simultaneously through the grommets 20 of the other half of each side of the bag as shown in FIG. 2. In such a configuration, the bag is formed and may be used to store food, water bottles, shoes, dirty laundry, other sundry items, and the like, as shown in FIG. 4, and may permit the aeration of any items contained therein so they can dry or remain free of odors, mold, and the like.

The bag may be hung from a tree or other item, or may be attached to another carrying device such as a backpack for storage and carrying of the contained items. Additionally, the bag may be used to wash clothing. In this example, dirty laundry is placed in the bag and is immersed in water (such as a lake or stream). Once wet, soap may optionally be added, and the clothing may be agitated in the bag. The bag may then be immersed again and agitated further to rinse. Once the laundry is clean, it may be suspended in the bag for drying, or the clothing may be removed and dried as individual pieces. To further facilitate drying, the cords 20 may be unthreaded from the combination bag and carrier and used to form a clothesline between two trees or other items. The use of the combination bag and carrier thus facilitates washing of clothes in a variety of fashions, such as by preventing loss of clothing by containing the clothing within the bag and by providing a handy clothesline once laundering is complete. The bag may similarly be used to wash items other than clothing.

While one particular means for selectively attaching portions of the edge margin 12 to itself is merely one example of such a means for selective attachment. As another example, a single cord similar to cord 20 may be provided that is used to lace around the entire edge margin 12. Other examples include any of a variety of a plurality of fasteners attached to or embedded in the edge margin 12. Such fasteners may provide features different or similar to those discussed herein. Non-limiting examples of such fasteners include complementary portions of hook-and-loop fastening systems, snaps, buttons and corresponding button holes, hooks and eyelets, buckles, clips, carabiners and grommets, pins, clasps, and safety pins. Another example of a means for selectively attaching portions of the edge margin 12 to itself is one or more zippers.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A combination bag and carrier comprising: an approximately-rectangular planar panel comprising: a reinforced edge margin extending substantially continuously around an edge of the planar panel; and a durable material extending substantially continuously between all portions of the reinforced edge margin, the material being readily-permeable to water and air; a pair of handles attached to the reinforced edge margin on opposite ends of the planar panel; and means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself to form a bag with the handles disposed adjacent each other.
 2. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself comprises: a series of grommets embedded in the reinforced edge margin; and a cord of a length sufficient to pass through the series of grommets to secure the panel into the bag.
 3. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 2, wherein the means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin comprises two cords, each configured to lace up one half of the bag.
 4. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 3, wherein one end of each cord is permanently attached to the edge margin at a midpoint of an edge of the planar panel distal the handles, and wherein the cords are configured to lace through the grommets to end at the handles.
 5. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself comprises a plurality of fasteners attached to or embedded in the edge margin.
 6. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 5, wherein the fasteners comprise one of: a portion of a hook-and-loop fastening system; snaps; buttons and corresponding button holes; hooks and eyelets; buckles; clips; carabiners; pins; clasps; and safety pins.
 7. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself comprises a zipper.
 8. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself comprises a pair of zippers.
 9. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the durable material comprises a mesh material.
 10. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the edge margin comprises a webbing material.
 11. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 10, wherein the webbing material of the edge margin is a single piece of material extending around the entire edge margin.
 12. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the handles comprise a webbing material.
 13. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 1, wherein the handles are attached to a middle of short ends of the edge margin.
 14. A combination bag and carrier comprising: an approximately-rectangular planar panel comprising: a reinforced edge margin extending substantially continuously around an edge of the planar panel; and a durable material extending substantially continuously between all portions of the reinforced edge margin, the material being readily-permeable to water and air; a pair of handles attached to the reinforced edge margin on first opposite ends of the planar panel; and means for selectively attaching portions of the reinforced edge margin to itself to form a bag with the handles disposed adjacent each other, comprising grommets in the edge margin and a pair of cords having first ends attached to second opposite ends of the planar panel and loose second ends for lacing through the grommets.
 15. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 14, wherein the reinforced edge margin comprises a webbing material.
 16. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 15, wherein the handles comprise a webbing material.
 17. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 14, wherein the durable material comprises a mesh material.
 18. A combination bag and carrier comprising: an approximately-rectangular planar panel comprising: a reinforced edge margin extending substantially continuously around an edge of the planar panel; and a mesh material extending substantially continuously between all portions of the reinforced edge margin, the material being readily-permeable to water and air; a pair of handles attached to the reinforced edge margin on first opposite ends of the planar panel; and a plurality of eyelets in the edge margin and a pair of cords having first ends attached to second opposite ends of the planar panel and loose second ends for lacing through the eyelets.
 19. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 18, wherein the edge margin comprises a webbing material.
 20. A combination bag and carrier as recited in claim 19, wherein the handles comprise a webbing material. 